William Nylander possesses an unmistakable aura, and his natural confidence often lends itself well to a Toronto Maple Leafs team that has been accused of overthinking in the past. Nylander famously said ‘Good teams find their way out’ when the Leafs were mired in a three-game losing streak at the start of the calendar year, and it’s this type of calm, cool confidence that will always translate in the early spring. Nylander, along with ascendant star Leafs winger Matthew Knies, weren’t remotely fazed by the Florida Panthers’ championship pedigree and infuriating antics, downing their Atlantic Division foe 5-4 in Game 1.

Nylander scored 33 seconds into the contest, beating Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky from a tough angle, setting the tone for his team. The 28-year-old is a one-man shot creation machine, and squaring off against a Panthers team that could be defined as the best defensive team of their generation, Nylander was more than content to poke holes in their scheme. He was a menace in space, he showed off his puck skills throughout the offensive zone, and brought out the best in his linemates.

“We came out, we got a couple of good scoring chances, we were able to capitalize on them,” Nylander said post-game of Toronto’s start to Game 1. “It was nice for us, and now we’re just focused on the next game now.”

And the next game may surely look different than Monday’s series opener. Panthers forward Sam Bennett elbowed Maple Leafs starting goaltender Anthony Stolarz in the head, Stolarz was replaced by Joseph Woll, and he reportedly left the arena on a stretcher. Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube stated that Stolarz is still under evaluation, while stating numerous times it was a clear hit to the head. Bennett has become a real antagonist, delivering a hit on Knies two seasons ago that rendered him concussed. And it’s a telling sign that the Panthers are known for their questionable hits, as much as they’re known for their forechecking and defensive supremacy. It changed the tenor of the game, as momentum radically swung in the Panthers’ favour, but Woll shut the door, while Nylander and Knies continued to lead the charge.

“We knew coming into this game that they were going to be physical, chippy,” Knies said post-game. “Little things between the whistles. I thought we stayed composed throughout the whole game, especially at the end, last three minutes. We made the right plays and didn’t give into their crap. I think overall we did a great job with that stuff.”

“I think we’ve been in tight games throughout the season where other teams are pushing, and we’ve just found our way,” Nylander said post-game.

You can see the evolution of the Maple Leafs through Knies in some respects. Two years ago, Knies was barely removed from the University of Minnesota and was instantly asked to contribute. He more than delivered on his promise before Bennett knocked him out of the series. This year, Knies is putting the totality of his skill set together, running over opponents, playing bully ball, and he was the best player on the Leafs’ first line in Game 1. Perhaps a previous version of the Leafs would’ve capitulated once Bennett took Stolarz out, but they didn’t take the bait, and it’s encapsulated in Nylander and Knies’ demeanour, both on and off the ice. Knies is the bridge between the win-now present and the uncertain future, but he’s a star in his own right.

“Somebody asked me what I was most impressed by with Knies, I said his hands,” Berube said post-game. “He’s got great hands in tight. And I didn’t know this coming here. And you see the power in the skating and the physicality and that sort of stuff, but the hands are really good in tight. And that was a great example of it tonight, the goal he scored.”

We’ll have to wait to get a further update on Stolarz, who has helped transform this Maple Leafs club in Berube’s first year behind the bench. And we’ll have to assume Woll is back between the pipes for Game 2 for a Leafs team that doesn’t appear to be too concerned with their opponent’s resume. Nylander and Knies outskilled the Panthers and didn’t retaliate or retort against a team that thrives on irritation. It could be the blueprint for the Leafs going forward in this series.